Storm Bert: Clean-up begins but flooding risk may remain until Wednesday

Hundreds of properties in South Wales have been hit by flooding and one "danger to life" warning remains in force in England.

Tim Jones

News Reporter @TimJones_SN

Tuesday 26 November 2024 03:46, UK

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A major clean-up is under way following "devastating" floods caused by Storm Bert, but the risk of more flooding remains.

Hundreds of homes have been inundated by water after roads turned into rivers and winds of up to 82mph were recorded.

At least four deaths have been reported in England and Wales - although it's unclear if all are linked to the storm.

Holiday park evacuated in area under 'danger to life' warning - follow live

Environment Secretary Steve Reed has held an emergency meeting with the Environment Agency (EA), which says the flooding risk will linger in places.

Katharine Smith from the EA said: "Significant river flooding impacts are expected in parts of the Midlands and South West England today [Monday] as rivers respond to heavy rainfall following Storm Bert.

"Localised flooding impacts are also possible more widely across England, which may continue in places until Wednesday due to further heavy rain."

'Danger to life' flood warning

One severe flood warning - indicating a "danger to life" - remains in force for the River Nene at Billing Aquadrome and nearby business parks on the outskirts of Northampton.

Flood sirens were activated as a holiday park there was evacuated.

People waded through water to escape, holding carrier bags containing their belongings.

More than 100 flood warnings - the second most serious alert, meaning flooding is expected - are also still in effect, alongside about 130 flood alerts, indicating flooding is possible.

Between 200 and 300 properties in South Wales were badly affected by the flooding on Sunday and a major incident was declared in the Rhondda Cynon Taf region.

Welsh Water told homeowners in parts of the region to boil their water as a precaution. First Minister Eluned Morgan described the flooding as "absolutely devastating".

Meanwhile, a yellow Met Office warning for rain in northwest Scotland remains in place until midnight on Monday.

The forecaster said 5 to 7cm (2 to 3ins) was likely on higher ground in the region which, combined with melting snow, meant a risk of flooding.

Read more:
How long will wet and windy weather last?

Four killed and travel disrupted

Four fatalities that appear linked to the storm have also been reported.

A body was found in the search for Brian Perry, 75, on Sunday after he went missing near the River Conwy in North Wales the day before.

Lancashire Police said a man in his 80s also died on Sunday after his car entered water in Colne, while Hampshire Police said a man in his 60s was killed when a tree fell on a car on the A34 near Winchester.

In Northamptonshire, a man in his 40s died in a crash on the A45 near Flore, which police have described as an "unexplained death".

Train services were also disrupted on Monday, with lines flooded in southwest England and South Wales, and Great Western advising against travel on most services to and from London Paddington.

Transport for Wales said services between Pontypridd and Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil had been cancelled, and lines were also closed between Hereford and Abergavenny.

Trains between London Liverpool Street and Stansted were also not running for a time but were operational again by Monday night.

London Northwestern Railway said flooding at Northampton station and at a nearby depot meant severe disruption would last into Tuesday, including between Birmingham and London.

South Western is also warning of disruption and said tickets would be accepted on CrossCountry and Great Western, along with some Stagecoach buses.

There have also been problems on many roads and for air travellers.

On Sunday night, part of the M32 around Bristol was closed, as was the A49 in Shropshire and Herefordshire.

More than 300 flights were also cancelled during the storm, said aviation analytics firm Cirium.

About 350,000 homes in England lost power during Storm Bert but most have since been reconnected.

National Grid UK said crews had restored power to tens of thousands of customers, particularly in the South West and the West Midlands.